Birthday hopes of an old woman

Birthday hopes! As I celebrate the day I was born, 4 November, 1937, I also recognise with a sense of awe that I’m officially an old, old woman. But it doesn’t mean that I no longer have plans, hopes and aspirations for the future. Everyone needs an idea about what the next part of their…… Continue reading Birthday hopes of an old woman

Happiness hormones – how to boost them now

Happiness hormones are among the many chemical messengers created in glands in our bodies from the food we eat. They are released into the bloodstream where they circulate. According to Stephanie Watson, hormones act on our tissues and organs to control how our bodies function and how we feel. Happiness hormones relieve stress and anxiety…… Continue reading Happiness hormones – how to boost them now

Pay attention – my new skill

To pay attention feels like a game-changer. This seemingly simple practice may even be a life-changer. But I’m still experimenting with new-to-me concepts – and I’m excited and hopeful. When I Googled ‘pay attention’ I found a number of articles with instructions about paying attention. Some described simple steps to learn and practice. Others described…… Continue reading Pay attention – my new skill

Taking stock and reorganising life

Taking stock of one’s life can happen in the most unexpected ways, and often for bizarre reasons. It’s been a year since my husband of sixteen years upped sticks and left me. Here’s a snapshot of my life then and now, and some ideas for the future. You can imagine the turmoil! Legal, financial, emotional…… Continue reading Taking stock and reorganising life

Bordoodle puppy for new zest

Meet the Bordoodle puppy who’s come into my life. Maggie’s name seems somewhat obvious because her black coat with white trim resembles the colouring of a magpie. At eleven weeks, after the long flight from Toowoomba in Queensland, she fell into my lap. There she slept for two hours straight. Two days later, she’d undone…… Continue reading Bordoodle puppy for new zest

Three shiny new things and some travel

Three shiny new things and a little spontaneous travel and adventure have brightened my life this week. Just when I thought I’d never travel, never write, never feel enthusiastic, there I was at Point Peron (I’ve written about that before). And writing a blog post! The tedious life events I’ve written about recently are coming…… Continue reading Three shiny new things and some travel

Grateful I’m alive and growing

Grateful I’m alive isn’t something I’ve said or written very often over many months. Except, perhaps, in one of my somewhat Pollyanna* attempts to write in my gratitude journal. But this morning it struck me that I’m grateful and glowing. This may be a temporary state. But while the feeling lasts, while the concept lingers,…… Continue reading Grateful I’m alive and growing